Falcons 20, Seahawks 27: Atlanta fights back, but still ends up 1-7

Will Dan Quinn’s last game as coach of the Falcons be against the team that helped him get the job in the first place? Can Atlanta win with Matt Schaub at QB? Will the Falcons defense be able to stop MVP candidate Russell Wilson? Let’s take a look at how things played out on Sunday.

First quarter

After the Falcons won the toss and deferred, the Seahawks offense - led by Russell Wilson - starts on their own 25 after the touchback. On the first play, Wilson connects with Malik Turner for a big 21 yard gain. After a 5 yard pass to Luke Wilson, and a run sets up 3rd and 1, Chris Carson converts the first up the middle. On the next play, a screen pass to receiver Tyler Locket goes for 15 yards and another 1st down. After a run for 1 yard by Rashaad Penny, and a nice pass deflection by Isaiah Oliver on 2nd down, Oliver delivers again with great coverage of David Moore. Seattle settles for the 42 yard field goal attempt, which they make.

Falcons 0, Seahawks 3

The Matt Schaub era starts on their own 18 after the return by Kenjon Barner. Devonta Freeman starts with a nice 6 yard run followed by a 1 yard loss on a subsequent run. On 3rd and 5, Schaub connects with Austin Hooper for the first down. On 2nd and 10, Freeman picks up 4 on the reception and on 3rd and 6, Calvin Ridley can’t hold on and the Falcons are forced to punt.

After two runs setup a 1st down, Wilson is hit hard by Takk McKinley to force an incompletion. After a 9 yard run by Chris Carson sets up 3rd and 1 and a holding penalty pushes it back to 3rd and 11, Isaiah Oliver shows up yet again as David Moore can’t convert. Seahawks punt. Barner is only able to return it to the Falcons 10 to set up their second offensive drive.

The Shauby slingers take the field and start with a big 25 yard pass to Julio Jones out of play action. After Freeman loses a yard on first down, Schaub connects with Calvin Ridley for 12 yards and the first down. Schaub rolls out of the pocket and finds Justin Hardy for 8 yards to setup 2nd and short. After Freeman picks up the short 1st down, Hooper gets the 2 yard reception to setup 2nd and 8. A 1 yard run by Kenjon Barner combined with a Wes Schweitzer false starts sets up 3rd and 12. A short pass to Devonta Freeman goes for 11, setting up 4th and 1 and the end of the first quarter.

Falcons 0, Seahawks 3

Second quarter

Atlanta decides to not go for it and kick the long 51-yard field goal to start the 2nd quarter. Matt Bryant misses it. Oy. Vay.

Falcons 0, Seahawks 3

After Rashad Penny picks up 9 on the ground, he picks up 17 yards on the next run for the first down. Wilson connects with Tyler Lockett for 14 yards and Chris Carson follows that with a big 14 yard run to put Seattle in 1st and goal. Wilson finishes the drive with the touchdown pass to D.K. Metcalf.

Falcons 0, Seahawks 10

After the touchback, a 3 yard gain by Devonta is followed by a pass over the head of Julio Jones. On 3rd and 7, Schaub converts a 6 yard pass to Julio. On 4th and 1, Schaub connects with Jaeden Graham for the first down. Julio is called for a horrifyingly bad offensive pass interference. On the next play, Matt Schaub is picked off on a pass attempt to Julio. Seahawks take over around mid-field.

After an end around to David Moore gains 2 yards, Chris Carson picks up the first down on 2 straight runs, with the second going for a big gain. From their 20 yard line, Carson picks up 4 on the run. On 2nd and 6, Rashaad Penny gets the big gain to convert the first down and setup 1st and goal. On 2nd and goal, Chris Carson goes out to the edge for the touchdown run.

Falcons 0, Seahawks 17

After the touchback, Schaub starts with a play action pass to Julio Jones for a 19 yard gain. Devonta Freeman picks up 9 yards on the next pass. Devonta picks up the first on the next toss play. On 2nd and 10, Schaub is nearly picked off again by Akeem King. On 3rd and 10, Schaub can’t connect with Calvin Ridley. Matt Bryant comes on for the 53-yard field goal and misses. Oh. My. God.

Wilson immediately takes over and connects on an 7 yard pass to Metcalf before we get to the 2 minute warning. From the 50 on 2nd and 3, Chris Carson powers to the first down. After a rare missed pass on 1st down, Wilson connects with Tyler Lockett over perfect coverage by Kendall Sheffield. On 3rd and 10, Wilson connects with Lockett again with Sheffield in great coverage once again. On 2nd and goal, Wilson connects with D.K. Metcalf yet again for the touchdown.

Falcons 0, Seahawks 24

The Falcons offense quickly drives down the field with a pass to Luke Stocker and another to Julio Jones. But on 2nd and 10 with 4 seconds left, Jadeveon Clowney sacks Matt Schaub and forces the fumble. Of course.

At the half: Falcons 0, Seahawks 24

Third quarter

Ater the touchback, a screen pass to Austin Hooper goes for 35 yards. Unfortunately, a nice run by Devonta is called back with a holding call on Alex Mack. A quick toss to Russell Gage for 5 yards and pass to Freeman for 9 yards sets up 3rd and 6. A defensive penalty sets up 3rd and 1, but Devonta loses a yard on the run to setup 4th and 2. Atlanta goes for it and Seattle has mercy, getting called for a neutral zone infraction and giving the Falcons the first down. Miraculously, Brian Hill breaks free for a big 23-yard run for the touchdown. The Falcons convert the 2 point conversion with a pass to Calvin Ridley.

Falcons 8, Seahawks 24

The Seahawks start with a run that is brought back by a penalty. On 1st and 15, Ricardo Allen tackles Chris Carson for a 1 yard loss. After Wilson scrambles for a 5 yard gain, Grady Jarrett sacks Wilson to setup the 4th down.

The Falcons offense takes over on their 35 after the punt. After a screen pass to Freeman picks up 7 yards, Alex Mack gets called for holding to setup 2nd and 13. Schaub completes a 14 yard pass to Julio Jones for the first down. After Schaub is nearly picked off (again), Devonta Freeman catches the pass for 12 yards and the first down. Devonta picks up 9 on the 1st down run and Brian Hill picks up the first on the next run. After a 2 yard run by Brian Hill, Matt Schaub is sacked for an 8 yard loss. On 3rd and 16, Schaub can’t connect with Russell Gage and the Falcons opt for the field goal. Matt Bryant comes on and hits the 47 yard field goal.

Falcons 11, Seahawks 24

After the touchback, the Seahawks start with a run by Chris Carson for 1 yard. After a 6 yard gain to Jacob Hollister, Adrian Clayborn tackles Chris Carson for a loss and forces the fourth down. Seattle gets a false start and punts. Barner is tackled behind the Falcons 20 yard line.

The Falcons offense starts their drive with a Devonta Freeman run for 4 yards. On 2nd and 6, Schaub connects with Julio Jones for the first down. Schaub finds Julio again for a big gain before we go to the final quarter.

Falcons 11, Seahawks 24

Fourth quarter

A screen pass to Devonta Freeman goes for 4 yards and is immediately followed by a run for a 1 yard loss by Devonta. On 3rd and 7, Julio Jones takes the reception to the Seahawks 27 and the first down. On 1st and 10, Calvin Ridley makes a fantastic catch for a 19 yard gain, though he seemed to get injured on the play. On 1st and goal, Freeman catches the pass 2 yards short of the goal line but Freeman fumbles it in yet another controversial call.

Taking over on the Falcons 6 yard line, Seattle runs the ball for 3 yards. Wilson follows that up with a pass to Tyler Lockett for the 19 yard gain and the first down. A holding call sets up 1st and 20 and Seattle picks up 12 yards on a pass to Lockett. On 2nd and 8, Wilson connects with David Moore for 23 yards. After an 8 yard run by Rashaad Penny, he converts the first on the 2nd and 2 run. The Falcons get a sack from Tyeler Davison on 1st and 10, and on 2nd and 12, Vic Beasley tackles Wilson for a 1 yard gain on the run. On 3rd and 11, the Seahawks are called for offensive pass interference, setting up 3rd and 21. The 10 yard pass to Hollister sets up the 54-yard field goal attempt for Seattle, which they convert.

Falcons 11, Seahawks 27

After the touchback, the Falcons tart with a 10 yard pass to Russell Gage. Schaub connects with Gage again for 13 yards and another first down. A false start by Kaleb McGary sets up 1st and 15 and Justin Hardy takes the short pass for 15 yards and the first down. After an incomplete pass by Schaub, Schaub connects with Austin Hooper for 14 yards and another first down. A quick 5 yard pass to Russell Gage is followed by a screen that went nowhere and on 3rd and 5, Schaub can’t connect with Ridley in the endzone. However, defensive offsides gives the Falcons a free 1st down. A quick pass to Gage for 6 yards is followed by an overthrow to Hooper. On 3rd and 4, Schaub connects with Julio Jones who is stopped at the 1 yard line, setting up 1st and goal from the 1. Matt Schaub finally finds Austin Hooper in the end zone for the touchdown. On the 2 point conversion, the Falcons can’t convert.

Falcons 17, Seahawks 27

The Falcons onside kick is easily recovered by the Seahawks at midfield. With 3 minutes remaining, the Seahawks convert the first down after two straight runs. A holding penalty sets up 1st and 20 and on 3rd and 6, the Falcons get the stop, forcing the punt.

On their own 11, the Matt Schaub offense starts with a reception by Julio for 11 yards. Schaub then finds Calvin Ridley for a big 30-yard gain and the first down. On 2nd and 7, Schaub finds Ridley for another first down and takes us into the 2 minute warning. Schaub finds Gage for a 7 yard gain and again for another 6 yards and the first down. On 2nd and 10, Matt Bryant comes on for the 37 yard field goal and nails it.

Falcons 20, Seahawks 27

The Falcons attempt at an onside kick goes out of bounds and the Seahawks get the ball. Seattle burns out the clock to end the game.

Final: Falcons 20, Seahawks 27